October 2012 Question of the Month

Question of the Month: What strategies are used to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and improve overall transportation system efficiency?

Answer: VMT is a measure used in the transportation planning community and elsewhere to report the number of miles that motor vehicles are driven on the road. It is a representation of how much fuel a transportation system uses, the resources necessary to build and maintain that system, and the amount of time the regions’ inhabitants are spending on the road.

While the focus of Clean Cities is vehicle technology and alternative fuel use, many coalitions also work in their communities to reduce VMT and improve overall transportation system efficiency. Increasing efficiency through transportation demand management can help achieve local and nationwide goals for transportation (reduced congestion), energy (decreased petroleum use), and the environment (reduced emissions). Fleets can also benefit from strategies to reduce VMT through cost and time savings.

Transportation planners, vehicle fleet managers, and corporate decision makers can all play a role in transportation demand management. Strategies for reducing VMT include:

• Ridesharing: Encourage people to share vehicles and commute together through employee rideshare, ridematching systems, and car sharing programs.
• Mass Transit: Develop, improve, or increase ridership on buses, bus rapid transit, trolleys, rail, and ferry systems.
• Active Transit: Eliminate vehicle use by supporting strategies that encourage biking and walking, including infrastructure development (e.g., bike lanes, sidewalks) and bike share programs.
• Multi-Modal Transportation: Develop resources and infrastructure to enable commuters to split up their trip into multiple modes, including ridesharing, mass transit, and active transit (e.g., online trip planners, park-and ride lots)
• Telework: Implement flexible work arrangements where employees can work from home (telecommute) or attend meetings from their computer (teleconference).
• Route-Planning Software: Utilize tools that allow fleets, particularly delivery and pick-up services, to plan and follow the most direct route.  

For more information on these strategies, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Transportation System Efficiency page. In addition, the following resources may be of assistance:

• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration
• FTA is the federal agency responsible for providing financial and technical assistance to public transit systems. The FTA website includes grant opportunities for transit agencies, information about relevant legislation and laws, and news about transit improvements around the country.
• Partnership for Sustainable Communities
• This partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, DOT, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aims to increase transportation options and lower transportation costs, among other goals. Their website includes grant opportunities and case studies about successful community projects.
• DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) 
• FHWA’s ADTM program focuses on research and resource development related to active transportation and demand management approaches. The website currently includes an overview of strategies. Moving forward, ATDM will provide lessons learned, standards, and best practices.
• Transportation Research Board (TRB): 
• TRB provides information exchange and coordinates research related to U.S. and international transportation systems.
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA):
• APTA provides information and resources about the benefits of public transit, including fuel and carbon savings calculators.

Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team
technicalresponse@icfi.com
800-254-6735

Lee Grannis Inducted into Clean Cities Hall of Fame

U.S. Department of Energy Honors Connecticut Leader for Success in Reducing Petroleum Use in Transportation

Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition Coordinator Lee Grannis Inducted into Clean Cities Hall of Fame

Left to right: Dennis Smith, Lee Grannis, Linda Bluestein.
Lee receives honor of being in the Clean Cities Hall of Fame.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – The U.S. Department of Energy honored Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition Coordinator Lee Grannis for his dedication and outstanding accomplishments in reducing Connecticut’s dependence on petroleum in transportation. DOE’s National Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith inducted Grannis into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame on Sept. 26 while in Estes Park, Colo., where representatives from nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the country gathered for a transportation technology deployment workshop.

Grannis launched the New Haven Clean Cities Coalition in 1995 and took the helm as coordinator in 1997, a position he has held ever since. In 2011 alone, the coalition saved more than 2.2 million gallons of petroleum and averted more than 20,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions through the deployment of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, idle reduction and fuel economy improvements.

“Lee Grannis combines unwavering dedication and keen technical knowledge to successfully deploy alternative fuels and advanced vehicles in Connecticut,” National Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith said. “Thanks to Lee’s ingenuity, persistence and willingness to help others, the Constitution State and surrounding region are realizing tangible energy security and environmental benefits.”

Before his work with New Haven Clean Cities, Grannis served 23 years in the U.S. Army, where his duties included multiple infantry combat assignments, combat and operational logistics planning positions, troop movement and exercise planning, all involving multiple modes of transportation. After retiring from the Army, Grannis worked in alternative fuel vehicle sales at Stevens Ford.

“I really enjoy working with new technologies and solving problems that nobody’s tackled before,” Grannis said. “And I like collaborating with all the people in our area who are taking on meaningful transportation projects rather than accepting the status quo.”

For more than a decade, Grannis has been instrumental in introducing new technologies and fuels into Connecticut’s transportation sector. He has developed projects and obtained funding for deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), light-duty electric vehicles, electric transit, hydrogen hybrid vehicles and biodiesel.

Under Grannis’ leadership, the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition helped deploy electric trolleys in New Haven’s public transit system, incorporate electric pick-up trucks into the city fleet, and catalyze the development of the city’s first CNG fueling station. He has also aided entrepreneurs in jump-starting the manufacture of electric buses and electric vehicle charging equipment.

In partnership with the three other Clean Cities coalitions in Connecticut and 27 additional partners, Grannis serves as the lead on the $29 million Connecticut Future Fuels project, which is deploying 269 alternative fuel vehicles. The project is also supporting development of fueling infrastructure, including the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) station east of the Mississippi. Located in Bridgeport, the station fuels more than eighteen LNG tractor trailers for Enviro Express, which provides solid waste collection services in southwestern Connecticut. The Class 8 trucks make daily trips along Interstates 95 and 395 to a landfill in Putnam. Cumberland Farms recently purchased three dozen LNG trucks, many of which will also use the new station as the first non-grant supported fleet.

The Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition is a designated member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative. Clean Cities advances the nation’s economic, environmental and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum use in transportation. A national network of nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions brings together stakeholders in the public and private sectors to deploy alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements and emerging transportation technologies. For more information, visit www.cleancities.energy.gov and www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/hall_of_fame.html.

Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition works with vehicle fleets, fuel providers, community leaders and other stakeholders to reduce petroleum use in transportation in the New Haven area. For more information, visit www.nhcleancities.org.

The Yellow Cab Company CNG station Ribbon cutting

Save the Date!

Friday, December 9, 2011
 2:00 PM EST

CNG Fuel Station 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

at
The Yellow Cab Company

in
Bloomfield, CT 

We’re celebrating the opening of Bloomfield’s first public access Compressed Natural Gas fleet fueling station at the headquarters of The Yellow Cab Company and while invitations are being finalized, we want you to Save the Date!

Please reserve time in your schedule to join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the sixth of many alternative fuel initiatives for Connecticut as we continue to make our state "greener." The Yellow Cab Company / Clean Energy project in Bloomfield is part of the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project, which is funded in part by the USDOE through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

When:     Friday, December 9, 2011
Where:    86 Granby Street, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Time:      2:00 p.m. EST

Click here  and let us know if you have any quesitons prior to receiving the invitation for this event

Glastonbury’s Green Initiatives Program Expands

Glastonbury’s Green Initiatives Program Expands

With New Compressed Natural Gas Fast-fill Fueling Station

GLASTONBURY, CT—(October 26, 2011) A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. today at Glastonbury’s new fast-fill Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station to service an expanding Town fleet of CNG powered sedans and shuttles.   On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be Steve Cassano, State Senator; Jason Rojas and Prasad Srinivasan, State Representatives; Representatives from Congressman Larson and Congressman Courtney; Susan Karp, Chairman Glastonbury Town Council; and, Richard J. Johnson, Glastonbury Town Manager.

A leader in embracing and employment of sustainable practices, the Town of Glastonbury partnered with Capitol Clean Cities of Connecticut and the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition on the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project, a statewide public-private initiative deploying Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Fueling Stations across the state. The Glastonbury project includes a new fast-fill CNG station, 12 CNG powered sedans and two CNG powered shuttle buses. The Town is receiving $488,200 from the U.S. Department of Energy and is providing $571,628 in non-federal share to complete the $1.06 million dollar project.

“We are glad the Town could partner with Clean Cities to expand our CNG fueling capacity and fleet. The continuing expansion of our Green Initiatives Program is important to the Town and with the new fast-fill CNG station, cost savings will be realized quickly,” said Richard J. Johnson, Town Manager of Glastonbury.   

Air and Gas Technologies built the new station in Glastonbury at 300 Welles Street, which is co-located on the same property as the Glastonbury Senior Center.    

“We are excited about this new fast-fill fleet station and fleet in the Town of Glastonbury,” stated Lee Grannis, Coordinator of the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition and recipient of the USDOE grant.  “This station represents the continuing commitment of the Town to cleaner transportation options and the addition of 14 CNG vehicles to the Town fleet will have an impact on reducing the use of petroleum and save the town money too,” Grannis added.   

“We are thrilled to watch the Town of Glastonbury continue as a leader in the Greater Hartford area, promoting the importance of clean natural gas fuel and vehicles.  Their commitment to clean energy is evident in their newest project which replaces their slow-fill station with a fast-fill station enabling them to expand their natural gas fleet.  They are a wonderful example to other municipalities of how dedication to and belief in alternative fuels validates the positive results of using Alternative Fuels.” stated Craig Peters, Coordinator of the Capitol Clean Cities Coalition.    

A public/private partnership, the CTCCFF is a coalition of forces and resources, featuring all four Connecticut Clean Cities Coalitions working together under nearly $13.2 million of funding from a U. S. Department of Energy Grant, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Project partners are providing over $16 million in non-federal cost share to the project. The Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. (GNHCCC), together with more than 30 partner organizations are building a state-wide system that will eventually get 269 alternative fuels vehicles on the State’s roads through incremental funding and providing fueling capability for 21 additional fleet vehicles and the supporting infrastructure for vehicle deployments as part of the CTCCFF.

For more information on the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project, contact Carla R. York, 423-802-6190 or visit www.ct-futurefuels.com

West Haven's First CNG fueling station at Metro Taxi

CNG Fuel Station 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The City of West Haven is celebrating the opening of the cities’ first Compressed Natural Gas fleet fueling station at the headquarters of Metro Taxi. The Clean Energy station will provide fleet and public fueling of CNG and is the first station in Connecticut built by Clean Energy. This opening marks a significant advance forward for Alternative Fuels in the state of Connecticut and the entire Northeast Region.

Metro Taxi operates the largest taxi fleet in the state and, as part of this new station opening, will also be launching the first in-state fleet of purpose-built, wheelchair friendly, ADA compliant, low emission taxis known as the “MV-1”, ready to serve the Disability Community. In addition to the MV-1, Metro Taxi will launch into service CNG-fueled Ford Transit Connects and Honda Civics. By year’s end, Metro Taxi will deploy 110 new CNG taxis as part of the project.

The fleet of 110 taxis will replace over 500,000 gallons of gasoline annually with clean burning CNG. The total project costs of $5.9M represents a significant investment from project partners Clean Energy and Metro Taxi of $4.1M or 69% of the total and the remaining $1.8M from the USDOE.

Join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the fourth of many alternative fuel initiatives for Connecticut as we continue to make our state "greener." The West Haven project is one of the many collaborations under the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project, awarded to the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition. This project is funded in part by the USDOE through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
 

When:     Monday, September 26, 2011

Where:    65 Industry Drive, West Haven

Time:      10:00 a.m. EDT

Click here to RSVP
or call Carla York at 423.802.6190.

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles Expo 2011

For Immediate Release

For Media Information Contact:
Nancy Wuennemann
860-659-2278
info@ct-cleancitiesexpo.com
Carla York
703-931-1410
carla@innovationdrive.net

Connecticut

Clean Cities Announces Clean Fuels Expo

Wallingford Selected as Showcase Venue for

Alternative Fuels Technology Event

(August 15, 2011)—The Connecticut Clean Cities Coalitions announced today their upcoming Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles Expo at the Mountain Ridge Events Center in Wallingford, Connecticut – Tuesday September 27, 2011 from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Onsite registration pick-up is set for 8-9 am.
This one-day event features a variety of presentations and addresses designed to inform and help Connecticut area businesses to make informed decisions to start the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles into their daily business practices. Registration is FREE, but necessary for accountability purposes – please visit www.ct-cleancitiesexpo.com.
In addition to addresses and presentations, expo attendees will be offered the opportunity to be stakeholders in their local Clean Cities Coalition. Clean Cities stakeholders will be encouraged to commit to investigating ways of integrating alternative fuels and vehicles into their businesses, and to act as advocates for the goals of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities programs and
its local coalitions. Presenters will address a variety of alternative fuels and corresponding vehicle power trains that make up the emerging alternative fuel and AFV market.
In return for their commitment to the Clean Cities programs, stakeholders will receive a variety of benefits, free of charge. Specific advantages to being a Clean Cities stakeholder include assistance in pursuing grants that are appropriate for their needs, publicity, networking opportunities and access to relevant technical information on alternative fuels market development, infrastructure and AFVs along with emerging advances vehicle issues.
“This is a great opportunity for Connecticut area businesses and organizations to expand our message. We (the coalitions) offer interested parties the opportunity to speak with one voice on issues of energy independence, reduce mobile source emissions , the transportation environmental justice, and adoption of new and advanced technology in the mass transit and fleet transportation sectors,” said Norwich Clean Cities Coalition Coordinator, Pete Polubiatko. “All interested parties are welcome to attend the Connecticut Clean Cities Expo and find out more about our collective organizations,” he added.
Brought to you by all four of the Connecticut Clean Cities organizations, (Southwestern Connecticut, Greater New Haven, Norwich and Capitol [covering the greater Hartford area]), the Expo’s panel of alternative fuel experts will discuss 2010-2011 achievements and accomplishments of the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project, (CTCCFF), a $29 million program, funded through a public private partnership; a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, funded by the Department of Energy and non-public funds provided by members of the project team. This year at the Expo, two special breakout sessions will be offered for First Responders as part of the CTCCFF, bringing another opportunity for First Responders to learn about the new AFVs being deployed across the state.
The CTCCFF project represents the largest project of its kind in the history of the state and involves a variety of alternative fuels including Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas, Hydrogen, Biodiesel and High Capacity Electric Charging. CTCCFF Project grants are providing funding for the four year, alternative fuels project servicing more than 30 partners, 10 alternative fuel
stations, and more than 250 alternative fuel vehicles throughout the state. In addition presenters will talk to the audience about what the future holds and a variety of ways to increase their “Return on Investment (ROI) by the use alternative fuels and vehicles in an ever increasing era of conventional fuels costs.

For more information about the Expo, contact Nancy Wuennemann at 860.659.2278 or visit www.ct-cleancitiesexpo.com.

For more information about the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project contact Carla York at 703-931-1410 or visit
www.ct-futurefuels.com.

Connecticut Clean Cities Expo Location Change

NEW LOCATION

The Connecticut Clean Cities Expo has a new location:

MountainRidge Events Center
350A High Hill Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
http://www.mtridgect.com

Please remember to register for free and pay for lunch on line at the EXPO web site

www.CT-CleanCitiesExpo.com